Apparatus for assembly of a retractor device including a safety belt

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for assembly of a retractor device including a safety belt wherein the apparatus includes parallel upper and lower conveyor means for simultaneous advancement of a plurality of holding means for assembly of retractor devices on the lower conveyor while safety belts depending from the upper conveyor are advanced in corresponding relation to respective holding means. The lower conveyor includes a plurality of subassembly stations for partially and loosely assembling retractor parts on a base frame held by the holding means, such parts including reel means, reel locking means, spring means for winding a safety belt on the reel means, and means on the reel means for connecting one end of a safety belt to the reel means. An automatic machine subassembly station is provided for tightening into final assembled relationship the several loosely associated parts of the retractor device, for lubricating certain areas and points on the retractor device, and for tightening spiral spring means while the reel means is kept from rotation by the connection of one end of the belt thereto. Later release of the other end of the safety belt will permit winding of the belt upon the reel means.

United States Patent 1 Groendyke 1 Mar. 26, 1974 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLY OF A RETRACTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A SAFETY BELT Richard L. Groendyke, Upland, Calif.

[75] inventor:

[73] Assignee: American Safety Equipment Corporation, New York, NY.

221 Filed: Apr. 3, 1972 21 1 Appl, No.: 240,581

Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdward F. Jaros 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for assembly of a retractor device including a safety belt wherein the apparatus includes parallel upper and lower conveyor means for simultaneous advancement of a plurality of holding means for assembly of retractor devices on the lower conveyor while safety belts depending from the upper conveyor are advanced in corresponding relation to respective holding means. The lower conveyor includes a plurality of subassembly stations for partially and loosely assembling retractor parts on a base frame held by the holding means, such parts including reel means, reel locking means, spring means for winding a safety belt on the reel means, and means on the reel means for connecting one end of a safety belt to the reel means. An automatic machine subassembly station is provided for tightening into final assembled relationship the several loosely associated parts of the retractor device, for lubricating certain areas and points on the retractor device, and for tightening spiral spring means while the reel means is kept from rotation by the connection of one end of the belt thereto. Later release of the other end of the safety belt will permit winding of the belt upon the reel means.

18 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures P'ATENTED HARZB I974 SHEET 1 (IF 6 PATENTED MARZS I974 SHEET 3 [IF 6 sheaf/31 slvsal'rs PATENTEUmzs m4 SHEET 5 BF 6 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLY OF A RETRACTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A SAFETY BELT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The automobile safety program includes the installation and use of safety belt systems in automobiles for restraining movement or displacement of occupants in the vehicle when such movement is produced by forces resulting from collision of the automobile with an object or unexpected changes in direction. Usually such safety belt systems will be provided for each occupant of the vehiclefEach safety belt system may include a device for retracting and permitting selected extension of a safety belt from a compact storage condition. Retractor devices used in such safety systems include various constructions, an exemplary construction being shown in US. Pat. No. 3,174,704.

An exemplary retractor device for which the assembly apparatus and method of this invention may be utilized may comprise a base frame on which is rotatably mounted a reel means. Spiral spring means are associated with the base frame and reel means to cause rotation thereof to wind a belt on the reel means while permitting selected extension of the belt from the reel means by rotation in the opposite direction. One end of the belt is connected to the reel means through a bolt which extends through a belt loop in a hub of the reel means for providing a connection to one end of the safety belt, the bolt also holding the several parts of the retractor device in assembly with the base frame. Various parts of a retractor device are adapted to being subassembled with other parts before being associated with the base frame, or may be assembled individually with other parts during assembly on the base frame.

Prior proposed retractor devices known to me have in most instances been assembled manually on a work table. Power driven manually held tools have been used to tighten and assemble various retractor parts. Such bench assembly of a retractor device is extremely costly in terms of time, labor and supply of component parts to a work bench. Moreover such manual assembly methods are relatively slow. It is therefore highly desirable that the methods of assembly of a retractor device be further developed, mechanized and adapted to rapid, accurate, precise assembly of such retractor devices so that production output thereof can be significantly increased. It is also desirable that each retractor device meet a rigid safety standard which includes a high degree of reliability, uniformity in meeting specifications and dependability of operation. Such standards, now imposed by safety regulations and specifications, were difficult to achieve with manually assembled and tightened prior proposed retractor devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for rapidly, effectively and reliably assembling parts of a retractor device with one end of a safety belt connected thereto whereby a completely assembled, lubricated, tightened retractor device with safety belt wound thereon is provided at the discharge end of the assembly apparatus.

Therefore, it is the main object of this invention to provide an apparatus for assembling a retractor device wherein the apparatus is readily adapted to manual and machine assembly operations for facilitating effective rapid assembly of such devices and to provide uniform compliance with rigid standards and specifications.

An object of the invention is to disclose an assembly apparatus for retractor devices and safety belts therewith wherein two conveyor means, one for retractor devices and the other for safety belts are arranged to advance such devices and belts in juxtaposed relation to facilitate connection of one end of the safety belt to a retractor device and to use the connected safety belt in a retractor reel adjustment and tightening operation.

Another object of the invention is to disclose an assembly apparatus for a retractor device wherein means on the retractor conveyor is readily adapted to retractor constructions of different types and style and to right and left hand versions of such retractor devices.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a retractor device conveyor means including novel holding means for assembly of a retractor device in association therewith, the holding means including a biased member readily adapted for attachment thereto of different retractor device base frames of varying size and style.

Still another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a novel assembly apparatus for retractor devices including safety belts wherein the holding means for the retractor device is advanced to subassembly stations at selected intervals and wherein at one of said subassembly stations a loosely virtually completed assembly of parts of the retractor device is adjusted and tightened by automatically operable machine means.

A further object of the present invention is to disclose a conveyor means for advancing a retractor device being assembled wherein at one subassembly station automatically actuated lubricant means supplies and deposits lubricant to selected areas of the retractor device.

Still further object of the present invention is to disclose and provide an apparatus for assembly of a retractor device including a safety belt wherein the safety belt is employed as a restraint means for a reel means 7 and assists in completing adjustment and tightening of a loosely assembled retractor device.

Still further object of the invention is to disclose and provide an assembly apparatus including a substation provided with carrier means for power wrench means located on opposite sides of a retractor device conveyor means, and wherein said power wrench means are rotatable at different speeds so that during tightening of an assembled retractor device, a retractor spiral spring may be selectively tightened while a nut and bolt assembly is drawn tight.

A still further object of the present invention is to disclose and provide an apparatus for assembling a retractor device including a safety belt, wherein, at one of the subassembly stations, means are provided for withdrawing a retention clip for a spiral retractor spring upon completion of assembly and tightening of the retractor device.

Generally speaking, an apparatus for assembling a retractor device including a safety belt in accordance with this invention includes the provision of vertically spaced parallel conveyor means, the upper conveyor means carrying at spaced intervals a plurality of safety belts suspended therefrom with their lower ends in spaced relation to the lower conveyor means. The

lower conveyor means advances a plurality of closely associated holder means for retractor base frames to which various parts of the retracting device are placed in assembly therewith. Retractor holding means and safety belt suspension means are juxtaposed and are advanced in corresponding fashion so that at one subassembly station the lower end of a safety belt may be rapidly associated with a reel means mounted in a base frame for restraining the reel means from rotation during a subsequent assembly operation. At certain substations component parts of the retractor device may be manually associated with the base frame on the holder means and at other subassembly stations actuable means may be machine operated to adjust and tighten loosely assembled parts of a retractor device. At one subassembly station lubricant means may be applied to the retractor device at selected points. In addition, other actuatable means are provided for removing a spring retention clip which holds a spring in compressed relation during the assembly operation. Loosely assembled retractor device parts are also tightened and secured by actuatable machine operated power wrench means in a novel manner whereby the power wrench means are driven at selected different speeds in order to securely tighten the assembly while at the same time winding a spiral spring to a preselected tension.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of an apparatus embodying this invention for assembling a retractor device including a safety belt.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary retractor device adapted to be assembled by the apparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top view of a holding means for a retractor device provided on the lower conveyor means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line IV--IV of FIG. 3, a retractor base frame being shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line V-V of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and at a subassembly station.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken in a plane indicated by line V IIVII of FIG. 1 and at a subsequent subassembly station.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by line VIIIVIII of FIG. 1 and at another subassembly station.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a bolt and nut assembly used in the exemplary retractor device shown.

FIG. 10 is a top view of another subassembly station of the apparatus of FIG. I, the view being taken from a horizontal transverse plane indicated by the line XX of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a C-shaped spring retention clip and stop means used on the exemplary retractor device.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by line XII-XII of FIG. 10, actuatable means including wrench means shown in retracted positions.

FIG. 13- is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken in a plane similar to that of FIG. 12, the power wrench means being shown in operable engagement with the bolt and unit assembly of the retractor device and partly in section.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view of a carrier means on the conveyor means, the view being taken from a vertical plane indicated by line XIVXIV of FIG. X.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XVXV of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by line XVIXVI of FIG. X.

FIG. 17 is a vertical transverse fragmentary sectional view taken in a plane similar to FIG. 12 and showing actuatable means for removing a spring retainer clip from the retractordeviceassembly.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view taken from the plane indicated by line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17 and showing the clip removal means in different operative positions.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the vertical longitudinal plane indicated by line XIX-XIX of FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary top view of an assembled retractor device at the end of the conveyor means and with the belt wound upon the reel.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus generally indicated at 25 embodying this invention. Apparatus 25 generally comprises a lower first conveyor means generally indicated at 26 and an upper second conveyor means generally indicated at 27, the conveyor means extending along parallel paths and providing selected longitudinally spaced subassembly stations indicated at A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Lower conveyor means 26 is constructed to advance a plurality of holder means 28 schematically indicated at FIG. 1. Upper conveyor means 27 includes safety belt suspension and advancing means best shown in FIG. 5 for advancing safety belts 29 in desired relation to holder means 28. Holder means 28 provides a fixture for holding and assembling parts of a retractor device, an example thereof being shown in FIG. 2 and indicated at 31. To facilitate description of the several novel features of the assembly apparatus 25 a brief description of the retractor device 31 will be given before describing the apparatus and method of this invention in detail.

Retractor device 31 provides an exemplary construction of a type of retractor device adapted to be rapidly effectively assembled on apparatus 25. Retractor device 31 includes a base frame 32 having a flat bottom wall 33 and integrally formed therewith upstanding sidewalls 34. Bottom wall 33 is provided with a rearward extension 35 having a hole 36 therein for cooperation with holding means 28 as later described. A reel means generally indicated at 38 comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical hub 39, FIG. 7, having a longitudinally extending slot-like opening 40 therein. Se-

- cured to opposite ends of hub 39 are generally circular reel, end walls 41 each provided with suitably configured ratchet teeth 42 defined by radially inwardly extending recesses 43. The upper edge of each tooth 42 is inclined in a radial inward direction to present stop or lock faces 44 on one of the radial edges of tooth 42. Lock surface 44 may be abutted as at 45 by a lock bar 46 having locked lugs 47 adjacent opposite ends of the lock bar for engagement with lock surfaces 44.

Lock bar 46 includes trunnion like end elements 48 receivable within aligned openings 49 in each sidewall 34 of the base frame. ()pening 49 on the right sidewall 34 as viewed in FIG. 2 may include a forwardly extending rectangular opening 50 to facilitate assembly of lock bar 46 between sidewalls 34. Spring means for biasing lock bar 46 about its end trunnion elements 48 to engage lugs 47 with teeth 42 may include a leaf spring 52 having an outboardly turned end 53 extending through an opening 34. Integral with the metal of leaf spring 52 is a belt sensor 55 of curved cross section and located forwardly of lock bar 46. Spring 52 and sensor 55 may be secured to lock bar 46 by suitably spaced rivets 56.

Lock bar 46 is controlled in its pivotal movement about end trunnions 48 by a lock bar positioning ring 57 (FIG. 7) coaxially mounted on reel means 37 outboardly of one of end walls 41 and normally biased against said wall by a spring 58 compressed between sidewall 34 and ring 57. Ring 57 is provided with an outboardly extending arm 59 received within a curved recess 60 having a peripheral opening 61, arm 59 and recess 60 limiting relative rotational movement of ring 57 with respect to the reel means 38. Extending from the peripheral edge of ring 57 is a stop lug 62 adapted to engage the top edge of the proximate locking lug 47. Below stop lug 62 and also extending from the peripheral edge of ring 57 is a lock bar positioning element (not shown) which contacts the adjacent forwardly directed surface of the lock bar 46 to prevent lock bar 46 from tilting forwardly to engage ratchet teeth until the belt 29 is extended or partially withdrawn from reel means 38 and then permitted to retract. The frictional engagement of ring 57 with the end wall 41 of the reel means is enhanced by spring 58 so that upon rotation of the reel means 38 the ring 57 will be caused to move between lock bar locking and released positions to unlock or lock the reel means in selected extension of the safety belt 29.

On the opposite side of reel means 38 and between the other end wall 41 and sidewall 34 is a spiral spring means 64 having its' inner turn connected to a projecting tab 65 on a nut means 66 of a nut and bolt assembly generally indicated at 67. The outer turn of spiral spring means 64 is provided with a loop 68 (FIG. 19) engaging one of two inboardly extending pins 69 carried by sidewall 34.

Nut and bolt assembly 67 includes bolt 70 having a head 71. Adjacent head 71 the shank of bolt 70 is provided with a bearing shoulder 72 adapted to be received within an opening 72 in sidewall 34 and to extend into the aligned openings in the ring 57 and the hub of reel means 38 for support thereof. Nut means 66 also includes a bearing sleeve 74 which is received within an opening 72 in the other sidewall 34 and which extends within the inner turn of the spiral spring 64 and the adjacent end of the reel hub for support thereof. Nut means 66 is provided with an internally threaded through bore 75 for engagement with external threads 76 on one end of bolt 70.

The completely assembled retractor device 31 shown in FIG. 2 with safety belt 29 wound thereon is then ready for installation in the vehicle by securement of the device 31 to the vehicle with suitable bolt securement means extending through opening 36 in the bottom wall of the base frame.

The present invention contemplates an apparatus and a method for rapidly and effectively assembling the several parts as described above of the retractor device. In the description of the apparatus the method of assembling the several parts will be described.

Lower conveyor means 26 of apparatus 25 may include a suitable conveyor frame structure generally indicated at 80 including an upper box section frame member 81 having longitudinally extending parallel rails 82 (FIG. 5). Each rail 82 supports guide elements 83 of anti-friction material such as teflon or other selflubricating material to define way means 84 along which may be slidably advanced the holder means 28 of the bottom conveyor 26.

Frame structure 80 also includes a lower box section frame member to provide a return path for the lower lay of holder means 28. Frame structure 80 includes an end support means 86, an intermediate support means 87, and a support means 88 at the opposite end of the frame structure, said support means 86, 87 and 88 being of any suitable framework.

Upper conveyor means 27 includes a box section housing 90 having a longitudinally extending slot or opening 91 through which belt hanger means 92 may extend for suspension of a safety belt 29. Within housing 90 is a longitudinally extending conveyor guide means 94 providing top guide sprockets 95 and bottom horizontally disposed spaced guide elements 95a adapted to provide a pathway for a conveyor roller chain means 96 to which belt hanger means 92 may be attached by suitable securement bolt or welding means as at 97 and at selected spaced intervals along the chain means 96. Upper conveyor housing 90 may be supported from frame member 81 by suitably spaced vertical frame members 98.

Housing 90 may have a downwardly inclined end portion 99 to present the lower lay or roller chain means 96 with belt hanger means 92 thereon at a lower convenient elevation for the manual attachment of a safety belt 29 to the hanger means 92. At the opposite end of upper conveyor housing 90 may be provided a suitable vertically extending housing 100 for drive means for the chain means 96, the lower end of said drive means being associated with the adjacent end of the bottom endless holder means 28 and with a motor means 101 for driving both roller chain means 96 and holder means 28 simultaneously and in correlated relation.

The drive means may also include a clutch means generally indicated at 102, air brake means 103 and a suitable control panel 104 whereby holder means 28 and hanger means 92 are intermittently advanced or indexed two holder means in correlated relation at selected spaced time intervals so that a preselected time period is provided at each subassembly station for accomplishing an assembly operation at that station.

Holder means 28 includes a leading holder member 106 and a trailing holder member 107. Each holder member 106, 107 may be supported on out-turned flanges 108 of a chain link 109 pivotally connected at its ends at 110 to connecting links 111 arranged beneath joint spaces 112 and 113 between holder members 106 and 107 and between each holder means 28 respectively. The holder members 28 are thus mounted in articulated relation upon an endless chain in such a manner that a holder member may readily separate at joint space 112 to permit its advancement around end sprockets at ends of the lower conveyor.

Leading holder member 106 provides a fixture for the base frame 32 of the retractor device. Holder member 106 includes a base plate 114 supporting a fixture base 115 of generally rectangular shape extending the width of base plate 114, having a leading edge flush with the leading edge of base plate 114 and a trailing edge spaced forwardly of joint space 112. Along each side of fixture base 115 is provided a guide bar 116 provided with a rabbeted front edge as at 117 to cooperate with a transverse register bar 118 having a stop or registration surface 119 for precise location and registration of base frame 34 in the fixture. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 base frame 32 is received between spaced longitudinal edges 120 of guide bars 116 and the front edge of bottom wall 33 abuts stop face 117. Guide bars 116 may be adjusted as to the space therebetween so that base frame 32 is centered and restrained against lateral movement thereof. Fixture base 115 may be suitably configured with a central laterally extending recess 121 in its top surface, a forwardly opening recess 122 and a rearwardly outwardly flared recess 123, said recesses 121, 122 and 123 facilitating the manual insertion of a base frame 32 into the fixture.

Trailing holder member 107 also comprises a base plate 124 upon which is longitudinally slidably adjustably biased a slidable bar 125. Bar 125 is of selected length and provides a mounting for a base frame positioning pin 126. Pin 126 may be provided with a generally oppositely directed dual tapered or conical head 127 for releasable cooperation with the opening 36 in the bottom wall of the base frame. In FIGS. 3 and 4 additional base frame positioning heads 127 and 127" are illustrated. Additional heads 127 and 127" may be spaced at selected distances along positioning bar 125 to accommodate base frames of different size for different retractor devices.

Bar 125 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 128 which receives an upstanding screwbolt 129 threaded in a slide plate 130. Slide plate 130 rests upon the top surface of intermediate guide plate 131 provided with parallel spaced side channels 132 which receive edge margins of slide plate 130. Guide plate 131 may be secured to base plate 124 by suitable screwbolts 133.

Bar 125 may be secured to slide plate 130 as by welding 134 and may be biased forwardly by a pair of compression springs 135 retained in assembly with intermediate guide plate 131 by a longitudinally extending cavity 135 in plate 131 to retain spring 135, slide plate 130 also being provided with a downwardly facing cavity 137 which receives the upper longitudinal portion of spring 135. Relative movement of slide plate 130 with respect to guide plate 131 is thereby permitted with the bar 125 being normally biased in a forward direction to press base frame 32 against the stop registration surface 119 of the holder. Thus base frame 32 of the holder is held against movement relative to the holder 28 in all directions except longitudinally rearwardly for release of the base frame from the holder member 106. Rearmost positioning pin or peg 127" may be grasped by an operator to move the base frame rearwardly for release thereof. Peg 127' may also be grasped by the operator when feeding a base frame to the holder means in order to engage peg 127 with the base frame without interference from the registration bar 118.

Belt hanger means 92 in this example generally comprises a horizontally disposed U-portion 140 having an open end 141 for insertion of belt 29, the lower leg of the U-portion being slightly upwardly inclined to positively retain the belt in the hanger means 92. U-portion 140 may be connected to conveyor chain 96 by a vertically disposed rod 142 and an angularlydisposed end 143 of the upper leg of U-portion 140.

In the apparatus 25 shown in FIG. 1 assembly ofa retractor device 31 proceeds from the right to the left of the apparatus there shown. At stations A-D inclusive manual subassembly operations may be performed. Automatic subassembly operations may be performed at stations E-G inclusive (the full details of such stations not being shown in FIG. 1 and are shown in FIGS. 11-17 inclusive).

In detail, before a belt hanger means 92 and its associated holder means 28 reach station A, a belt 29 may be attached to a belt hanger means 92 at a convenient height for an operator at the end section 99 of the upper conveyor means 27. Belt 29 is looped over the lower leg of the hanger means 92 with the lower belt end 146 spaced a selected distance above holder means 28 on lower conveyor means 26. Belt end 146 is formed with a loop and stitching as is well known. The other end 147 of belt 29 may carry a metaltongue 148 serving as part of an exemplary safety belt buckle means. The weight of the metal tongue 148 and the type of material used in belt 29 prevents belt 29 from slipping in the hanger means 92.

The drive means generally described above advances hanger means 92 and corresponding holder means 28 towards station A. When belt 29 reaches station A the drive means simultaneously causes the upper and lower conveyor means to stop by actuation of the clutch and the brake means in suitable manner. At station A more than one depending safety belt and holder means 28 will be within reach of an operator. Therefore an operator may at station A commence subassembly ofone or more retractor devices.

At station A a base frame 34 obtained from a supply bin (not shown) adjacent station A is placed on the leading holder member 106 by retracting slide bar slightly rearwardly to engage opening 36 in the base frame over the holding peg 127 carried by bar 125. Upon completion of such engagement slide bar 125 is released and is advanced forwardly by the normally biased slide plate 130. The front edge of bottom wall 33 of base frame 32 is thereby placed in pressure engagement with stop surface 119 of leading holder member 106. When one or more base frames are thus attached to the fixture provided by holder means 28 the conveyor means are actuated and driven forwardly to advance and to stop the conveyor means at station B.

At station B (FIG. 6) base frame 32 receives in loose assembly lock bar 46, spring means 52, spinal spring means 64 held in closed relation by a metal generally C-shaped clip 150, and nut means 66. In this example lock bar 46 has been preassembled with the spring 52 and the sensor 55 so that this subassembly may in one operation be placed between walls 34, tab 48 inserted fully into opening 49 and its extension 50 to obtain clearance for the opposite end of bar 46. The opposite end may then be aligned with opening 49 and the outboardly directed end 53 of spring 52 may be inserted into opening 54. Movement of the lock bar laterally toward wall 34 provided with spring opening 54 generally assembles lock bar 46 with sidewalls 34 without possible diasssembly because of the configuration of the edge of the trunion end elements 48.

Also at station B spiral spring means 64 with retainer clip 150 thereon may be engaged with one of pins 69 extending from wall 34 as by placing loop 68 thereover. Nut means 66 can then be inserted through opening 72 in sidewall 34, spring means 64 lifted until the sleeve 74 of nut means 66 may be inserted into the inner turn of the spiral spring. Tab 65 is then engaged with an opening in the inner turn of spring 64 by turning nut means 66 relative to such inner turn. Thus three manual assembly steps are performed at station B namely connecting lock bar 46 with the base frame, attaching one end of the spiral spring 64 to one of the pins 69, and associating nut means 66 with sidewall 34 and with the inner turn of the spiral spring. When these subassembly steps are accomplished at station B on one or more retractor base frames the conveyor means are actuated and the holder means with associated base frame means and corresponding safety belt are advanced to station C where they are again stopped for further subassembly operations At station C (FIG. 7) reel means 38, lock bar positioning ring 57, and spring 58 are assembled with the base frame. In such assembly the ring 57 and spring 58 are held against an end wall 41 of reel 38 while the reel 38, ring 57, and spring 58 are inserted between sidewalls 34 until arm 59 drops into and is engaged in recess 60. Since the ring 57 and spring 58 are mounted on reel end wall 41 in coaxial relationship with hub 39 it will be apparent from FIG. 7 that reel 39 and the several parts associated therewith are loosely and generally supported in coaxial relation with the aligned openings 72 in the sidewalls 34 of the base frame. When this subassembly operation is completed the holding means 28 is advanced to station D.

At station D the lower end loop 146 of safety belt 29 is grasped by an operator and fed through slot 40 in hub 39 of reel means 38.'Slot 40 is sufficiently wide to readily accommodate the end loop 146. Bolt 70 is then inserted through opening 72 in the adjacent sidewall 34 to extend through spring 58, ring 57, reel end wall 41 and through the loop of the belt within the hollow hub 39 of the reel means. The bolt 70 isurged inwardly until bearing shoulder 73 is engaged by sidewall 34 and the threaded end 76 of bolt 70 is at the non-threaded portion of sleeve 74 of nut means 66. In this relationship it will be apparent that reel means 38 is now substantially supported by the nut and bolt assembly with the several component parts of the retractor device in loose assembly therewith.

It should be noted that when the lower end loop 146 of belt 29 was grasped and assembled with bolt 70 that belt 29 was fully extended and end portion 147 was drawn through the hanger means 92 until the metal tongue 148 engaged or was at the hanger means 92. Thus belt 29 by and through its connection with hub 39 of the reel means is in an extended condition which will restrict and prevent rotation of reel means 38 during the tensioning of spiral spring means 64 as per-- 155 located on opposite sides of the bottom conveyor 26. As noted in FIG. 1 there may be two or more sets of carrier means provided with automatic subassembly operations designated at stations E, F and G. The number of such sets of automatic subassembly operations will depend upon the rapidity with which operators at the manual subassembly stations are able to accomplish subassembly of parts at each station on more than one base frame since it is desired that a retractor device be completely assembled on each holding means 28 of the bottom conveyor means.

Description of one automatic subassembly arrangement as shown in FIGS. 10-17 will be made because the other stations are virtually similar. Carrier means 155 on each side of box section frame member 81 is supported by a horizontally extending member 156 secured in suitable manner, as by welding, to sidewalls of frame member 81. Horizontal member 156 provides horizontally longitudinally extending opposed top and bottom way means 157 for slidable reception therein of top and bottom edge margins 158 of a horizontally movable slide member 159. At adjacent-ends of the members 156 and 159, means 160 are provided for precisely locating and positioning slide member 159 longitudinally of frame member 81. Adjustment means 160 may comprise aligned internally threaded blocks 161 and 162 secured respectively to slide member 159 and member 156. An adjustment screw means 163 having a knurled head 164 and spaced threaded screw portions 165 and 166 in engagement respectively with the threaded blocks 161 162 152 provides for precise accurate control of slide member 159 as it is moved longitudinally horizontally in way means 157. Such precise longitudinal positioning of horizontal slide member 159 permits precise longitudinal correlation of the several automatic actuatable means carried by carrier means 155 with respect to holder means 28 and precisely with respect to a base frame carried thereby.

Carrier means 155 also includes a vertically disposed cross-slide member 168 having edge margins 169 slidably and guidably received within vertically disposed way means 170 formed by vertically disposed spaced guide members 171 on slide member 159. Cross-slide member 168 at its lower end has an internally threaded block 171 which threadedly engages a vertical adjustment screw member 172 having a knurled head 173. The screw member 172 is provided with a spaced screw portion 174 having threaded engagement with an internally threaded block member 175 secured to slide member 159 and extending through an opening 176 in vertical wall 177 of carriage member 178. Block 175 may be provided with a base portion 179 adapted to seat in a recess in the inboard face of slide member 168. Adjustment screw 172 thereby permits precise vertical positioning of carrier means 155 with respect to a base frame carried by holder means 28 on the lower conveyor means of the apparatus.

Carrier member or platform 178 includes a horizontal plate 181 upon which may be mounted a pair of spaced parallel guide means 182 having parallel guide rods 182 secured to and joined together at their outboard ends by a yoke member 184. Yoke 184 carries an inboardly extending and movable member 185 connected with a horizontally extending carrier bar 186 which extends parallel and adjacent to the path of conveyor means 26. Fluid cylinder means 180-carried between spaced brackets 180a on plate 181 includes a piston 180!) connected to bar 186. Actuation of cylinder means 180 in timed relation with conveyor means 26 moves carrier bar 186 inboardly and outboardly a selected distance to position actuatable means carried thereby into operative relationship with the retractor device being assembled on a base frame.

During each intermittent stop of the lower conveyor means, a holder means 28 is positioned at each of stations E, F and G as shown in FIG. 10. Inboard movement of carrier bar 186, as just described advances power wrench means 189 into operative relation with a retractor device at station F and lubricant means 187 and 188 are actuated at stations E and G. In an exemplary operational sequence a nut and bolt assembly of a retractor device may be first lubricated at station E, tightened at station F, and the retractor return spring lubricated at station G.

Lubricant means 187 is provided on opposite sides of each retractor device (FIG. for injecting as at 190 a predetermined measured amount of lubricant material such as a suitable grease to the bearing surfaces on the bolt 70 and the nut means 66. The loose relationship of the nut and bolt assembly is indicated and emphasized in FIGS. 8, 15. Lubricant means 187 may comprise a lubricant dispensing tube 191 carried at one end of a piston rod 192 having a piston within cylinder means 193 actuatable to project and retract grease tube 191 by use of pressure fluid introduced at 194 at opposite ends of cylinder 193. Lubricant supply is introduced to tube 191 through a supply tube 195. The lubricant means 197 is supported upon an upstanding bracket 196 secured to frame member 81 in suitable manner. Adjustment means (not shown) are provided to precisely position the end of tube 191 with respect to retractor device to dispense lubricant at a selected area.

When lubricant means 187 is advanced inboardly in timed sequence with the stopping of holder means 28 with a retractor device thereon at station E, lubricant may be injected through tube 191 at the bearing surfaces of the nut means 66 and bolt 70 adjacent sidewalls 34 of the base frame, so that when the nut and bolt assembly is tightened a selected amount of lubricant will be supplied to the nut and bolt assembly to facilitate rotation thereof and reduce wear during use of the retractor device.

At the same time that the retractor device is being lubricated in part at station E, a prelubricated retractor device at station F is being wound and tightened in assembly. At station F a motor means 197 mounted upon the reciprocally movable member 185 on carrier means 155 extends through a suitable mounting block 198 to project above the conveyor means a socket head 199 carried on a projecting power driven shaft 200.

Shafts 200 are coaxially aligned with the nut and bolt assembly of the retractor device when the device is positioned at station F, such alignment being achieved through the adjustment means previously described.

As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 in operation socket heads 199 are initially spaced from nut means 66 and bolt 70. Upon inboard movement of carrier bar 186, mounting block 198 fixed thereto is advanced as well as the socket heads 199 until they engage nut means 66 and the headed end of bolt 70. Socket heads 199 are mounted on the ends of shafts 200 relatively loosely, as of the type of mounting employed in impact type wrenches, and are adapted by such floating loose mounting to compensate for variances in the base frames and minor tolerances in alignment so that some self-adjustment of the socket head to the nut and bolt assembly is provided. A spring 201 on shaft 200 between socket 199 and block 198 may serve to cushion engagement of the socket with the nut and bolt assembly during engagement of the socket head with the nut and bolt assembly.

In the automatic operation performed at station F, it will be noted that the nut means 66 has already been engaged with the inner turn of coil spring 64 and has bearing engagement with sidewall 34 and the hub of reel means 38. In addition, safety belt 29 is extended between hanger means 92 and the hub 40 of the reel means so as to restrict rotation of the reel means 38. Bolt has been extended into the hub 40 of the reel means and its pointed end is at the open end of the nut sleeve 74.

Upon simultaneous rotation of the socket heads 199 on opposite sides of the base frame after they have been moved inboardly into engagement with the nut means 66 and head 71 of the bolt, both bolt and nut means are rotated in the same direction but at different speeds. For example the bolt 70 may be turned at approximately 600 rpm and thenut means at approximately 400 rpm. Since they are turning in the same direction the relative rotation between nut means and the bolt is such as to cause tightening of the nut and bolt assembly but at a predetermined delayed rate of tightening. The delayed rate of tightening permits the nut means 66 to wind spiral spring 64 until it has been fully tensioned. When the fully tensioned condition is reached in the spiral spring 64, nut means 66 is backed off approximately one-half turn relative to the winding of the spiral spring. Under this substantially fully wound condition of spiral spring 64 the outer turn of the spring has contracted as well as the inner turns of the spring so that the outer diameter of the spring is substantially reduced.

Before winding and tightening of the nut and bolt assembly is completed and while the spiral spring is in contracted condition, clip is removed by actuation of clip removal means 204. Clip removal means 204 (FIGS. l0, 14, 17 and 19) comprises a magnet 205 having a concave face 206 complimentary to the curvature of clip 150 to permit full contact therewith as shown in FIG. 19. Magnet 205 may be carried at one end of a support arm 207 pivotally mounted about an upwardly inclined axis defined by pivot means 208 supported on a bracket 209, carried on an extension of block 198 at one side of the conveyor means 26. Pivot means 208 incloudes a pivot shaft 210, having its lower end connected to a link 21 1, pivotally connected at 212 to the free end of a piston rod 213 extending from a fluid actuated cylinder means 214. The opposite end of cylinder means 214 may be pivotally connected at 215 to an L-shaped plate extension 216 supported by block 198. Thus when the carrier means is advanced inboardly the clip removal means is also advanced inboardly. In timed sequence with the initial rotation of the nut means 66 by the power wrench socket 199, the arm 207 is swung downwardly through an arc to engage the magnet 205 with the clip before and during the spring winding, and to withdraw the clip from the spring while the spring is in contracted condition.

During the backswing of arm 107 the magnet passes between a pair of spaced pins 217 (FIG. 14) located on opposite sides of the backswing path of the magnet so that as the magnet passes between the pins the clip 150 is knocked off the magnet. The disengaged clip 150 then falls into a suitable hopper (not shown) for collection or transport along a conveyor or conduit means to a suitable collecton area. The clip means 150 may be reused in the assembly of additional spiral spring 64.

It may be noted that during winding of the spiral spring 64 by rotation of the nut means 66, the clip 150 may turn with the outer turn of the spiral spring and lose the desired orientation of the open portion of the clip and the direction of withdrawal of the clip from the spring when engaged with the magnet. To maintain proper orientation of clip 150 relative to the spring and to the path of withdrawal of the clip by the magnet means, a small fluid operated piston and cylinder 218 supported by a bracket 219 carried on block 198 may project at a selected angle a stop member 220 which moves into the space between the sidewall 34 and the reel end wall 41 to place its extremity against the forward edge of the top portion of clip 150 to prevent turning of clip 150 while the spiral spring is being wound.

Winding of the bolt 70 into full threaded engagement with the nut means 66 is completed immediately after the clip has been withdrawn, so that the parts of the retractor device are tightened in operative final assembly.

At station G, lubricant means 187 may comprise a grease injection tube 222 projected and disposed in an upwardly inclined angular relation to the base frame 32 so that the end of the grease injection tube 222 may be projected into the space between the wall 34 and end wall 41 of the reel means to deposit a preselected measured quantity of suitable lubricant upon the spiral spring 64 at its contact with sidewall 34. Tube 222 is carried at the end of an aligned piston rod 223 ofa double acting fluid actuated cylinder means 224 supported on an upstanding standard 225 carried by frame member 81. Lubricant may be supplied to tube 222 by a supply or feed hose 226.

In the operations at stations E, F and G, it will be apparent that three different automatic operations are performed. It should again be noted that the stations E, F, and G are duplicated as shown in FIG. 1. The indexing of the conveyor means in this example is two holding means at a time or if the holding means are on 8 inch centers, the n the conveyor means is indexed 16 inches. Thus, when retractor devicefire pfe's'en te d at the automatic subassembly portion of the apparatus, they are alternatively subjected to a winding operation, and then a lubrication operation. It should also be noted that the belt is maintained in extended stretched condition during the automatic operations at this portion of the apparatus.

After leaving stations E, F, and G, the retractor devices are indexed to stop at a final station H (FIG. 20) at which an operator removes the top end of safety belt 29 from hanger means 92 and permits the belt to be wound upon the tensioned reel means 38 of the retractor device. Upon completion of the winding the retractor device is readily manually removed by urging the retractor device rearwardly to disengage a forward edge thereof with the transverse registration bar on the holder member 106. The retractordevice may then be lifted upwardly to disengage the headed peg. The released retractor device may then be placed on a suitable conveyor or other means for inspection and storage.

It will be understood that actuatable lubricant means 187 and 188 may be provided with suitable means for adjusting the angle of approach of the grease tubes to the part to be lubricated and the precise distance of advancement so that lubricant will be accurately deposited on the selected area.

Actuation of the carrier means and the actuable lubricant and wrench means is in timed relation to the intermittent advancement and indexing of the conveyor means 26 and 27. As an example of time saved at the automatic assembly stations, the tightening and lubrication cycle, i.e., the performance of lubricating the nut and bolt assembly requires approximately 6 seconds. Manual tightening of the nut and bolt assembly, including winding of the spring and removal of the clip l50requires a substantially longer assembly time.

It is important to note that the apparatus and method of this invention utilizes the safety belt in the winding operation of the reel spring and thereby avoids use of additional equipment which would be necessary to hold the reel against turning. Further, the loop end of the safety belt is located near the reel to which it is assembled and minimum time is spent in assembly of the belt with the reel. The apparatus is open on both sides of the conveyor and suitable inspection points may be designated to assure that the retractor devices being assembled meet the required specifications.

In this example of the invention lubricant means 187 and 189 are mounted on the conveyor frame 81 at their respective stations E and G. In some instances, depending on the type of retractor device, it may be desirable to mount one or both lubricant means 187 and 189 on the carrier bar 186 to take advantage of the reciprocal inboard and outboard movement of the bar and to adjust the projection of the lubricant tubes so that in retracted position lubricant dripping will not fall on surfaces to be kept clean. Also, in some instances, it may be desired to wind or partially wind the return spring before lubricating the same, or tighten or partially tighten the nut and bolt assembly before lubrication thereof, or change the sequence of lubrication, tightening of bolt assembly, and lubrication of return spring. Such changes are contemplated by this invention.

Other modifications and changes may be made in the above described apparatus and method and may come within the spirit of this invention and all such changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for assembling a retractor device and a safety belt in which the retractor device includes a base frame, reel means rotatable on the frame, means connecting one end of the belt with the reel means, and means for winding the belt on the reel means, comprising in combination:

a first conveyor means for advancing retractor base frames in spaced relation along a path;

a second conveyor means for advancing safety belts at intervals corresponding to said base frames along a second path spaced from said first path;

drive means for both conveyor means to advance said safety belts and base frames at the same rate to maintain juxtaposition thereof and at selected time intervals for performing manual and machine subassembly operations at spaced subassembly stations along said first path;

one end of said belt being connected to said reel means at one of said subassembly stations and advanced, while connected to said first conveyor means, in assembly with said reel means in extended condition to restrict rotation of said reel means;

and means at one of said subassembly stations for adjusting and tightening parts of said retractor device assembled at preceding subassembly stations.

2. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said retractor base frames includes holding means on said first conveyor means for each retractor base frame;

each holding means including a stop surface adapted to be contacted by said base frame for precisely positioning said base frame longitudinally of the conveyor means,

and means for biasing said base frame against said stop surface.

3. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said retractor base frame includes:

holding means on said conveyor means for each retractor base frame;

each holding means including a longitudinally adjustable slide bar provided with one or more retaining pins selectively spaced therealong for cooperably connecting one end of said base frame with said holding means.

4. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said reel retractor base frames includes:

holding means on said conveyor means for each retractor base frame;

each holding means including a leading holder member provided with means for restricting movement of said base frame laterally and forwardly with respect to said base frame;

a trailing holder member;

and a slidable bar on said trailing member provided with means to resist movement of said retractor base frame longitudinally rearwardly.

5. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said adjusting and tightening means at one of said subassembly stations includes:

a pair of transversely aligned carrier members adjustably movable relative to said first conveyor means for precise positioning thereof with respect to the location of a holder means carrying a loosely preassembled retractor device;

and actuatable means on each of said carrier members for performing an assembly tightening operation on said loosely assembled retractor device.

6. In an apparatus as stated in claim 5 including a plurality of spaced lubrication means on said first conveyor means movable into close proximitywith an area to be lubricated on a partially assembled retractor device stopped at one of said subassembly stations and actuated to apply a premeasured amount of lubricant at such area.

7. In an apparatus as stated in claim 5 wherein said actuatable means includes power driven wrench means for engagement with and rotation of partially assembled bolt and nut means which rotatably mount said reel means.

8. In an apparatus as stated in claim 7 wherein said actuatable means on opposite sides of said conveyor means drive said nut and bolt at different rates of speed whereby said assembly of said retractor device is secured by the tightening of said nut and bolt assembly while a retractor spring for said reel means is selectively tensioned for providing winding of said safety belt upon said reel means from an extended position.

9. A subassembly station in an assembly apparatus including a conveyor means at which a retractor device and belt are subjected to an assembly operation, the provision of:

carrier means on said conveyor means adjustably positionable with respect to said subassembly station and to a partially assembled device moved to said station;

and actuable means on said carrier means including:

a power wrench means for tensioning of a reel spring means on said device.

10. In a subassembly station as stated in claim 9 wherein said actuable means includes:

power wrench'means on opposite sides of said conveyor means;

one of said wrench means being operable at a different speed than the other of said wrench means whereby said partially assembled retractor device is tightened in assembly while said reel means is being placed in wound condition by the other power wrench means.

11. In a subassembly station as stated in claim 9 wherein said actuable means includes:

means to remove a clip retainer means for a spiral spring associated with said retractor device and reel means.

12. In a subassembly as stated in claim 11 wherein said clip removal means includes:

an arm movably mounted on said carrier means;

and means on the remote end of said arm for attachment to said clip retainer means. 13. In a conveyor means for an assembly apparatus for a retractor device the provision of:

holder means on said conveyor means for a base frame of a retractor device, said holder means comprising leading and trailing holder members;

said leading member including means to restrict movement of a base frame in all directions but one direction;

. said trailing member including means to engage a base frame and to bias said base frame in said one direction.

14. In a conveyor means as stated in claim 13 wherein said biasing means includes a longitudinally extending bar provided with means for releasable attachment to a retractor base frame.

15. An assembly apparatus including a conveyor means at which a retractor device and a belt are subjected to an assembly operation, the provision of:

a plurality of spaced subassembly stations for performing manual and automatic subassembly operations on a retraction device and belt;

means at one of said stations for machine tightening a loosely preassembled nut and bolt assembly of said retraction device; and means at a prior station for injecting lubricant into said loose nut and bolt assembly prior to tightening. v v 16. In an assembly apparatus as stated in claim wherein said means for injecting lubricant prior to tightening of said nut and'bolt assembly includes projectable and retractable lubricant dispensing tubes on opposite sides of said conveyor means for lubricating 

1. In an apparatus for assembling a retractor device and a safety belt in which the retractor device includes a base frame, reel means rotatable on the frame, means connecting one end of the belt with the reel means, and means for winding the belt on the reel means, comprising in combination: a first conveyor means for advancing retractor base frames in spaced relation along a path; a second conveyor means for advancing safety belts at intervals corresponding to said base frames along a second path spaced from said first path; drive means for both conveyor means to advance said safety belts and base frames at the same rate to maintain juxtaposition thereof and at selected time intervals for performing manual and machine subassembly operations at spaced subassembly stations along said first path; one end of said belt being connected to said reel means at one of said subassembly stations and advanced, while connected to said first conveyor means, in assembly with said reel means in extended condition to restrict rotation of said reel means; and means at one of said subassembly stations for adjusting and tightening parts of said retractor device assembled at preceding subassembly stations.
 2. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said retractor base frames includes holding means on said first conveyor means for each retractor base frame; each holding means including a stop surface adapted to be contacted by said base frame for precisely positioning said base frame longitudinally of the conveyor means, and means for biasing said base frame against said stop surface.
 3. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said retractor base frame includes: holding means on said conveyor means for each retractor base frame; each holding means including a longitudinally adjustable slide bar provided with one or more retaining pins selectively spaced therealong for cooperably connecting one end of said base frame with said holding means.
 4. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means for said reel retractor base frames includes: holding means on said conveyor means for each retractor base frame; each holding means including a leading holder member provided with means for restricting movement of said base frame laterally and forwardly with respect to said base frame; a trailing holder member; and a slidable bar on said trailing member provided with means to resist movement of said retractor base frame longitudinally rearwardly.
 5. In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said adjusting and tightening means at one of said subassembly stations includes: a pair of transversely aligned carrier members adjustably movable relative to said first conveyor means for precise positioning thereof with respect to the location of a holder means carrying a loosely preassembled retractor device; and actuatable means on each of said carrier members for performing an assembly tightening operation on saiD loosely assembled retractor device.
 6. In an apparatus as stated in claim 5 including a plurality of spaced lubrication means on said first conveyor means movable into close proximity with an area to be lubricated on a partially assembled retractor device stopped at one of said subassembly stations and actuated to apply a premeasured amount of lubricant at such area.
 7. In an apparatus as stated in claim 5 wherein said actuatable means includes power driven wrench means for engagement with and rotation of partially assembled bolt and nut means which rotatably mount said reel means.
 8. In an apparatus as stated in claim 7 wherein said actuatable means on opposite sides of said conveyor means drive said nut and bolt at different rates of speed whereby said assembly of said retractor device is secured by the tightening of said nut and bolt assembly while a retractor spring for said reel means is selectively tensioned for providing winding of said safety belt upon said reel means from an extended position.
 9. A subassembly station in an assembly apparatus including a conveyor means at which a retractor device and belt are subjected to an assembly operation, the provision of: carrier means on said conveyor means adjustably positionable with respect to said subassembly station and to a partially assembled device moved to said station; and actuable means on said carrier means including: a power wrench means for tensioning of a reel spring means on said device.
 10. In a subassembly station as stated in claim 9 wherein said actuable means includes: power wrench means on opposite sides of said conveyor means; one of said wrench means being operable at a different speed than the other of said wrench means whereby said partially assembled retractor device is tightened in assembly while said reel means is being placed in wound condition by the other power wrench means.
 11. In a subassembly station as stated in claim 9 wherein said actuable means includes: means to remove a clip retainer means for a spiral spring associated with said retractor device and reel means.
 12. In a subassembly as stated in claim 11 wherein said clip removal means includes: an arm movably mounted on said carrier means; and means on the remote end of said arm for attachment to said clip retainer means.
 13. In a conveyor means for an assembly apparatus for a retractor device the provision of: holder means on said conveyor means for a base frame of a retractor device, said holder means comprising leading and trailing holder members; said leading member including means to restrict movement of a base frame in all directions but one direction; said trailing member including means to engage a base frame and to bias said base frame in said one direction.
 14. In a conveyor means as stated in claim 13 wherein said biasing means includes a longitudinally extending bar provided with means for releasable attachment to a retractor base frame.
 15. An assembly apparatus including a conveyor means at which a retractor device and a belt are subjected to an assembly operation, the provision of: a plurality of spaced subassembly stations for performing manual and automatic subassembly operations on a retraction device and belt; means at one of said stations for machine tightening a loosely preassembled nut and bolt assembly of said retraction device; and means at a prior station for injecting lubricant into said loose nut and bolt assembly prior to tightening.
 16. In an assembly apparatus as stated in claim 15 wherein said means for injecting lubricant prior to tightening of said nut and bolt assembly includes projectable and retractable lubricant dispensing tubes on opposite sides of said conveyor means for lubricating opposite end portions of said nut and bolt assembly.
 17. In an apparatus as stated in claim 15 including means at a station subsequent to said nut and bolt assembly tightening station for lubRicating a retraction spring in said tightened device.
 18. In an apparatus as stated in claim 5 including a clip retainer member for holding an expandable spring in closed relation during loose assembly of the retraction device; said actuatable means during tightening of the device also tightening said expansion spring; and means for removing said clip retainer ring after tightening of said spring. 